HITECH addresses which barrier to using health information technology?

• A. There is a shortage of health IT support staff.
• B. Patients cannot afford Personal Health Records.
• C. Doctors prefer to use paper charts.
• D. Patients don't trust doctors who use computers.

Answer: (A)

HITECH targets overcoming practical obstacles that slow health IT adoption by boosting the people and resources needed to implement and sustain electronic systems. The most relevant barrier it addresses is the shortage of health IT support staff—clinics and hospitals often lack trained personnel to install, configure, train users, and maintain EHR systems. By providing funding, incentives, and programs for workforce development and technical assistance, HITECH helps organizations bring in and retain the skilled help needed to go digital and keep systems running smoothly. While cost of personal health records, a preference for paper charts, or patient distrust can influence use, they aren’t the primary focus of HITECH’s actions, which center on building the IT workforce and support infrastructure to enable adoption and meaningful use.